Looking for the best beaches in Alabama? We've got you covered! Here we present the 11 best Alabama beaches you must visit. From Gulf Shores to Orange Beach, there's something for everyone.
With the warm waters of the Gulf and the smooth, white sands, Alabama beaches and the nearby little towns is a great joy for vacationers searching for a laid-back, family-friendly getaway.
They have beautiful seascapes, abundant animals in the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, a laid-back vibe on Dauphin Island, and plenty of excitement in bustling locations like Gulf Shores.
Alabama's beaches are beautiful, but storms are common, so check the weather before making your way here.
Apart from storm season, Alabama is a fantastic destination for exploring natural rivers by kayak or learning about the country's space program.
It's no secret why visitors come to this southern state.
Here is a list of the best Alabama Beaches to visit in Alabama to help you plan your unforgettable Alabama beach vacations.
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Starting with Cotton Bayou Beach, one of the most beautiful Alabama beaches.
This lovely small beach is nestled amid some extremely popular condos at the crossroads of Highways 182 and 161, making it ideal for various activities or just chilling and chitchatting.
The beach is near the parking lot and offers all necessary facilities, including bathrooms and outdoor showers.
This lovely white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico is an excellent place to see sunsets.
However, it may become busy since the beach is readily accessible and located between two of the area's most popular condominiums.
However, this is an ideal spot for all conventional beach activities such as swimming, sunbathing, walking, having a family picnic, or creating sandcastles with the kids.
Although dogs are not permitted, the shallow water is ideal for children.
This beach is also a favorite spot for wedding photography since it provides beautiful scenery.
Address: 25900 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
According to Coastal Living, Dauphin Island East End Public Beach is one of the best Alabama beaches.
It is a tiny barrier island located off the coast of Alabama in the Gulf of Mexico.
It is very popular with families since it has several family-friendly activities, including historic Fort Gaines, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, in addition to its gorgeous beaches.
The island's whole west end is quiet and beautiful, with miles of powder-fine white sand.
The long and narrow beaches are ideal for walking down the beach, building sandcastles, or just cooling off in the sea.
Along the beaches, guests will discover beautiful parks covered by old oaks and public golf courses.
It is the region's only pet-friendly beach.
Offshore fishing is also excellent.
Another public beach on Dauphin Island's west end is famous for regular summer live music events.
Address: 109 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528
Gulf Shores Main Public Beach is a classic Alabama beach town and is considered one of the top Alabama beach towns.
Thousands of visitors go to Gulf Shores on Alabama's Gulf of Mexico coast to enjoy its warm, sunny days, white sandy beaches, and beautiful turquoise seas.
Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and wandering along the waves are just a few of the activities available on the 32 miles of stunningly magnificent beaches.
The sand on the beaches is nearly entirely composed of quartz that fell thousands of years ago from the Appalachian Mountains.
The sand is soft and cold underfoot, and when stepped on, it creates amusing squeaking noises.
The beach has a lot going on, from volleyball games to charming, tiny beach bars.
But the Gulf Shores Public Beach's standout asset is its accessibility.
The parking lot is wide, and the beach is long so you won't feel crowded.
There are also many public facilities, such as showers and changing booths, making a day at the beach more enjoyable.
Address: 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Because of its vast sand dunes, The Weather Channel named Alabama Point East Beach one of the best Alabama beaches.
It is Alabama's only beach on the Gulf of Mexico and is located near Perdido Pass.
This beach is a personal fave with families, and it provides some of the greatest fishing, surfing, and boating activities on the Gulf Coast.
There are several activities available at Alabama Point Beach.
You may go fishing, swimming, or crabbing (with a permit) while admiring the scenery from your boat or the beach.
There is a walkway, picnic spaces, and a few outdoor showers along the beach.
There is also the option to hire a sunbed with an umbrella.
Note that this beach is quite crowded, particularly during the summer months, yet it is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Address: 27853 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
The little bohemian town of Fairhope may be found on the coast of Mobile Bay, on the edge of a vast estuary that flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
Surprisingly, despite the town's position on the salty waters of the estuary, there are a few gorgeous beaches near the settlement.
One of them is to the north of the well-known pier; right behind the beach, on a high bluff, is a lovely grassy spot ideal for picnics; it has breathtaking ocean views and is shaded by massive trees.
The area is known for its wonderful wind, perfect for soothing irritated skin on a hot summer day.
Fairhope should be on your list if you want a bustling beach atmosphere and more activities than simply relaxing by the surf.
Because of its shallow waters and minimal waves, this beach is a favorite swimming destination, and children enjoy playing in them.
Romar Beach, one of the Gulf State Park's numerous gorgeous beaches, is not as well-known but incredibly impressive.
Romar Beach, a few miles east of Highway 59, is a lovely spot ideal for beach strolls and picnics.
Romar Beach is also one of the best white sand beaches in Alabama, with exceptionally smooth white sand.
A set of steps will lead you down to the beach and the magnificent bluish-green ocean.
Romar Beach is close to Shelby Lakes, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, the Gulf State Park Pier, and the exciting Adventure Island theme park.
Aside from that, the area is mostly underdeveloped, with only future plans to provide additional services.
Regardless, spending time here allows you to enjoy the best of nature.
This beach shows how simplicity could be enough for a day spent at the beach.
Address: 24522 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange Beach
The West End Public Beach, located on Dauphin Island's western end, is an excellent example of art meeting nature.
It is known as one of the best beaches in Alabama, competing with beaches in neighboring cities in the state.
The beach features the same laid-back and relaxing vibe as the other beaches on Dauphin Island, as well as a variety of public services.
The West End Public Beach is open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset, with severe restrictions forbidding dogs, trash, and overnight stays.
Residents with parking licenses on the island are free to park.
At the same time, non-residents must pay a small price for parking and admission.
The West End Public Beach is a great place to unwind, with sugar-white beaches, parks lined with old oaks, and a public golf facility.
Other beach facilities include air-conditioned bathrooms, showers, chair rentals, lifeguards, food and drink vendors, a picnic area, and a water slide for kids.
Address: Dauphin Island, Alabama
Also Read: The Best Beaches in the USA to Visit this Summer
Lake Martin Beach is one of the pretty beaches in Alabama.
Lake Martin, located in Tallapoosa County, is a favorite holiday destination for all ages.
One of the top-quality features of Lake Martin is that water skiing, paddle boarding, and swimming are all more accessible than in the ocean.
Lake Martin is ideal for those who wish to enjoy the lake without worrying about crashing waves.
Lake Martin's white sandy beaches are ideal for anyone visiting with friends or family.
During your visit to the lake, you may play cornhole, enjoy a picnic, relax in a hammock, laze about on a float on the water, hire a boat, and more.
Getting off the main road might sometimes be exactly what you need to make your vacation memorable.
If you've just looked for beaches near the coast, you may be shocked to learn that some good beaches in Alabama are found farther inland.
Fort Morgan is an island located off the coast of Gulf Shores, and its beautiful beaches are full of history and elegance.
It is ideal for anyone looking to spend time on the beach away from the more popular places, which are packed with beach bars and tourist shops.
A huge portion of the peninsula is a protected wildlife reserve, and its seashore is nearly an hour's drive from any shop, but its seclusion is well worth the isolation.
The beaches are gorgeous, with fine white sand, and are open to the public.
Finding them might be difficult since the majority are part of private hotel accommodations.
Two public beach access locations are located 1.5 miles following the visitors center inside the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
At the edge of the peninsula, outside the Fort Morgan State Historic Site, there is unknown public beach access.
It is seldom overcrowded all year, so there is less concern about getting some well-deserved R&R.
Robinson Island, another beautiful island, boasts one of the best beaches in Alabama.
You should visit Robinson Island if you want a more private beach.
It is only accessible from Orange Beach by kayak, standup paddleboard, or boat. This little island is quite popular with local boaters.
Like Robins Island's neighbor, it preserves the local flora and animals.
These two islands are really part of a single park that serves as a refuge.
When visiting Robinson Island Beach, bear in mind that glass is not permitted, dogs are not allowed, and you must carry garbage bags to pick up after yourself.
Once on the island, you may enjoy a stretch of magnificent white sand that most visitors to the area will never see.
It is also important to remember that the island's inner sections are protected shorebird breeding areas and should not be explored.
Even though the island might become crowded with boats and sunbathers, it is still worth a visit.
However, there are no facilities, so bring your own food and beverages.
Address: Robinson Island, Orange Beach, AL
The Gulf State Park in Alabama is one of the best beaches in Alabama for families since it is a safe beach for children and has loads of things to engage young children.
Gulf State Park features approximately three miles of beautiful fine sand beaches ideal for sunbathing, cooling off in the waves, listening to seagulls, or collecting marine shells.
Some beaches may be found in Gulf Shores, beside a lovely pavilion.
Orange Beach is another beach entry point in the park.
The park's beaches are ideal for surfing, kayaking, or just lounging on the sand, and park officials provide a variety of exciting events during the summer, including geocaching, guided nature hikes, and stargazing.
The park features 20 cabins and 11 lakeside cottages near the golf course, a short drive from the beach.
Address: 20115 State Highway 135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
A map of the best beaches in Alabama. Use the map to explore all the top beaches.
Fort Morgan Public Beach is one of the clearest water beaches in Alabama and an ideal spot for a day of peace and relaxation.
Gulf Shores is one of the most popular and prettiest Alabama beaches, with clear waters and beachfront havens.
Yes, Alabama has several white-sand beaches. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are two of Alabama's best beach destinations that boast pristine white sand beaches.
Alabama has breathtaking natural beauty, and its beaches are undoubtedly among them.
If you want to visit one of Alabama's beaches, you will have a tough time choosing which one to visit.
If you have the opportunity, you should visit a couple of them.
Alabama provides something for everyone, whether you want a lake vacation, an uncrowded adventure, or a getaway with all the conveniences.
We hope this post has helped you decide which of the best Alabama beaches is for you and your family.
We can't wait to hear all about your Alabama beach adventures!